Boardman Local Schools $49 million additional tax levy narrowly gained voter approval in Tuesday’s primary elections, passing by 221 votes, 5,197 for the issue, and 4,976 against.
      Of the 20 precincts in Boardman voting on the issue, the measure was approved in 15 precincts, and lost in five precincts. In seven precincts, the measure was decided by 10 votes or less. Voters in Beaver Township Precinct 2 also cast ballots on the Boardman School levy, where the measure lost, 190-135.
      Voters in Precinct 6, who cast ballots at St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church, approved the levy by the widest margin, 200-95.
      The school system announced proposed personnel cutbacks in light of projected deficit spending by July, 2019 at a community meeting held in March.
      “We have to make sure we engage the 49 per cent of the people who voted against the levy,” Supt. Tim Saxton said, noting he was grateful the measure was approved.
      “We will continue to sharpen our pencil,” Saxton said, suggesting “We come together and put our energies at the state funding formula.”
      Boardman Local School enrollment has dropped by 800 students over the past decade, while its general fund budget has increased by some $10 million.
      Boardman Township had a 2.9-mil replacement levy on the May ballot that was approved by a 58 per cent margin, 6,287-4,413.
      “The past eight years the current Board of Trustees and Fiscal Officer have made it a priority to engage with our community and be open and transparent about our finances and the decisions we make. We are extremely grateful for the passage of the levy and appreciate the trust the residents have in the elected officials and the men and women who serve Boardman Township. We appreciate the support and promise to maintain the high level of service our residents deserve. We understand the sacrifice our residents have made to support our community and we pledge to continue to monitor expenses and lobby Columbus for relief to property owners,” Trustee Brad Calhoun said.
      10,700 voters cast ballots on the school township’s replacement levy, while 537 less people voted on the school levy, according to Mahoning County Board of Elections unofficial results. They show 10,173 people voted on the school levy.
      Three Boardman residents were on the Democratic Party ballot for two state posts and another ran for a seat on the Common Pleas Court.
      Joe Schiavoni got just 9 per cent of the votes statewide in a bid for governor. He won handily in Mahoning County against winner Richard Cordray, 16,119-6,909. Schiavoni also won in Trumbull County, and lost to Cordray in Columbiana County.
      Boardman Trustee Larry Moliterno sought a seat as a State Representative/59th District, but lost to Poland Township Trustee Eric Ungaro, 8,640-4,840.
      Dan Dascenzo, of Boardman, sought the seat on the bench, and lost to Anthony Donofrio, 14,005-10,574.
      The May primaries also tested local Republican ranks, where Mahoning County GOP chieftan Mark Munroe, of Boardman, ran against Columbiana County GOP chair Dave Johnson for a seat as state central committeeman for the 33rd District.
      Johnson won in both counties to retain the seat, beating Munroe by a wide margin, 10,090-4,374.
      But incumbent 33rd District committeewoman, Tracey Winbush, who also serves the Ohio Republican Party as its treasurer and is a member of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, lost her bid for re-election to Monica Robb-Blasdel, of Columbiana, 6,102-5,047. Robb-Blasdel is the daughter of Seventh District Court of Appeals Judge Carol Ann Robb.